Hawks win again, deal Knicks 5th straight loss

NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Millsap scored 19 points, Dennis Schroder extended his best stretch in the NBA with two big baskets in the final 2 minutes, and the Atlanta Hawks sent the New York Knicks to their fifth straight loss with a 91-85 victory Monday night.

Schroder, a second-year guard from Germany, scored a career-high 14 points, two nights after setting his previous career best with 11. With the Hawks clinging to a three-point lead, he knocked down a jumper with 1:55 to play, then scored on a drive to the basket that gave Atlanta an 81-74 advantage with 59 seconds remaining.

Carmelo Anthony had 25 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Knicks, who came in averaging 92 points, tied for worst in the NBA, and barely surpassed their previous low of 80 in their season-opening loss to Chicago.

They scored 61 points in the first half Saturday but faded to just 13 in the third quarter and 35 after halftime. They managed only 38 more in the first half of this one, but managed to keep it close throughout until the Hawks made the bigger plays down the stretch.

Schroder made four free throws after his consecutive baskets to help Atlanta finish it off.

Iman Shumpert had 18 points for the Knicks.

___

TIP-INS

Hawks: Korver moved past Nick Van Exel (1,528) into 20th place in NBA history with 1,530 3-pointers. … Atlanta was making its only visit this season to Madison Square Garden. … For Veteran’s Day, Hawks players and coaches will visit Atlanta VA Medical Center on Tuesday, meeting patients and handing out team gear.

Knicks: Team President Phil Jackson said before the game he is optimistic despite New York’s struggles and has seen improvement. “I see growth in this team and I’m optimistic that, it’s not always the final score, it’s sometimes how you play,” he said. “I think we’re playing the game much better and getting some activity that we like to see.” … Coach Derek Fisher said he didn’t expect Jose Calderon (strained right calf) or Andrea Bargnani (strained right hamstring) to practice Tuesday, and if they did it would be limited. Neither projected starter has played this season.